US20120286977A1 - Operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

An operation input device includes: an operation body having a handle portion, and tilting when the user tilts the operation axis line of the handle portion; a tip end portion disposed at an end of the operation body in an operation axis line direction, and pushed in a direction to move apart from the handle portion along the operation axis line direction; an abutment portion having an abutment surface, the tip end portion moving and abutting on the abutment surface during a tilting operation of the operation body; and multiple first protrusion portions. During the tilting operation of the operation body, the tip end portion abuts on the abutment surface and moves along a movement path. The first protrusion portion is disposed on a side of the movement path so as to guide the tip end portion in the predetermined tilting direction.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-65622 filed on Mar. 24, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates to relates to an operation input device.
BACKGROUND
• Operation input devices of many different configurations are used in various fields, and there is an operation input device configured to accept multiple operations, such as depressing and rotation, by a single device. One example is disclosed inPatent Document 1 specified below. This document discloses an other-direction operation switch that allegedly eliminates a need for visual confirmation during an operation and causes no erroneous operation.
• Patent Document 1: JP-A-2007-128862
• There is an operation input device that accepts an oscillation (tilting) operation in multiple directions in the related art. An operation input device of this type in the related art provides an ambiguous operational feeling in response to a tilting operation. Hence, it is not easy for a user to understand in which direction among predetermined multiple, tilting directions he is oscillating the operation input device.
• Accordingly, there is a possibility of an erroneous operation that the user accidentally oscillates the operation input device in an unintended direction. Hence, there is a need for an operation input device that enables the user to obtain a distinct operational feeling as to an oscillation direction and lowers a possibility that the user inputs a wrong oscillation direction.
SUMMARY
• It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an operation input device that enables a user to obtain a distinct operational feeling as to an oscillation direction and lowers a possibility that the user inputs a wrong oscillation direction.
• According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an operation input device includes: an operation body having a handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be held by a user and having a virtual operation axis line, and the operation body being configured to tilt together with the handle portion around a predetermined rotation center point on the operation axis line in a case where the user holds the handle portion and tilts the operation axis line of the handle portion; a tip end portion disposed at an end of the operation body in a direction of the operation axis line, the tip end portion being pushed in a direction to move apart from the handle portion along the direction of the operation axis line; an abutment portion having an abutment surface, the tip end portion moving and abutting on the abutment surface during a tilting operation of the operation body; and a plurality of first protrusion portions. When the tip end portion moves in a predetermined tilting direction during the tilting operation of the operation body, the tip end portion abuts on the abutment surface and moves along a movement path. The first protrusion portion is disposed on a side of the movement path so that the first protrusion portion guides the tip end portion in the predetermined tilting direction.
• The operation input device above is configured in such a manner that the tip end portion of the operation body that tilts in association with a tilting operation by the user is pushed and abuts on the abutment surface and the protrusion portion is provided lateral to the movement path corresponding to a predetermined tilting direction on the abutment surface. Accordingly, the tilting direction of the operation body is guided to the predetermined tilting direction by the protrusion portion. Hence, with a configuration as simple as forming the protrusion portion on the abutment surface, it becomes possible to achieve an operation input device that provides a distinct operation feeling in response to a tilting operation and lowers a possibility of an input of a wrong tilting operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation input device according to one embodiment;
• FIG. 2A is a plan view andFIG. 2B is a front view of the operation input device;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the operation input device with a cross section;
• FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line IV-IV of the operation input device ofFIG. 2A;
• FIG. 5A is a plan view of a knob andFIG. 5B is a cross section taken along the line VB-VB of the knob ofFIG. 5A;
• FIG. 6A is a plan view of a rotation shaft,FIG. 6B is a cross section taken along the line VB-VB of the rotation shaft ofFIG. 6A, andFIG. 6C is a bottom view of the rotation shaft;
• FIG. 7A is a plan view of a center shaft andFIG. 7B is a cross section taken along the line VIIB-VIIB of the center shaft ofFIG. 7A;
• FIG. 8A is a plan view of a swing shaft andFIG. 8B is a cross section taken along the line VIIIB-VIIIB of the swing shaft ofFIG. 8A;
• FIG. 9A is a plan view of a slider andFIG. 9B is a cross section taken along the line IXB-IXB of the slider ofFIG. 9A;
• FIG. 10A is a plan view of a press rubber andFIG. 10B is a cross section taken along the line XB-XB of the press rubber ofFIG. 10A;
• FIG. 11A is a plan view of a holder andFIG. 10B is a cross section taken along the line XIB-XIB of the holder ofFIG. 10A;
• FIG. 12A is a plan view of a substrate andFIG. 12B is a cross section taken along the line XIIB-XIIB of the substrate ofFIG. 12A;
• FIG. 13A is a plan view of a click plate andFIG. 13B is a cross section taken along the line XIIIB-XIIIB of the click plate ofFIG. 13A;
• FIG. 14A is a plan view of a cover andFIG. 14B is a cross section taken along the line XIVB-XIVB of the cover ofFIG. 14A;
• FIG. 15A is a plan view of a case andFIG. 15B is a cross section taken along the line XVB-XVB of the case ofFIG. 15A;
• FIG. 16A is a plan view of an upper housing andFIG. 16B is a cross section taken along the line XVIB-XVIB of the upper housing ofFIG. 16A;
• FIG. 17 is a view showing the operation input device during a tilting operation;
• FIG. 18 is a view showing a fitting state during the tilting operation when viewed from sideways;
• FIG. 19 is a view showing the fitting state during the tilting operation when viewed from below;
• FIG. 20 is a view showing a manner of rotation during the tilting operation;
• FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the click plate,FIG. 21B is a bottom view of the click plate;FIG. 21C is a cross section taken along the line XXIC-XXIC of the click plate ofFIG. 21B, andFIG. 21D is a cross section taken along the line XXID-XXID of the click plate ofFIG. 21B;
• FIG. 22 is a view showing a movable range during the tilting operation;
• FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a desired direction and an actual direction during the tilting operation;
• FIG. 24A andFIG. 24B are views showing the operation input device during a shaft pushing operation;
• FIG. 25A andFIG. 25B are views showing the operation input device during the shaft pushing operation in detail;
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a layout example of photo interrupters;
• FIG. 27 is a plan view showing a layout example of the photo interrupters;
• FIG. 28 is a view depicting a determination method of the tilting operation and the shaft pushing operation;
• FIG. 29 is a view showing an installment example of the operation input device in a vehicle interior; and
• FIG. 30 is a view showing an example when the click plates are changed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation input device1 (hereinafter, referred to as the device) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2A is a plan view andFIG. 2B is a side view of thedevice1.FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an interior made visible on a cross section taken along the line IV-IV.FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line IV-IV.
• Thedevice1 includes aknob2, arotation shaft3, acenter shaft4, aswing shaft5, aslider6, apress rubber7, aholder8, asubstrate9, aclick plate10, acover11, acase12, anupper housing13, anoscillation plunger40, anoscillation spring41, arotation plunger50, and arotation plunger51.FIG. 5A throughFIG. 16B are views showing these components individually. InFIG. 5A throughFIG. 16B, cross sections taken along the lines VB-VB through XVIB-XVIB are the same as the cross section taken along the line IV-IV shown inFIG. 4. With regard to materials of thedevice1, for example, thepress rubber7 can be made of rubber (gum), theoscillation plunger40 of brass, theoscillation spring41 and therotation spring51 of stainless or a steel wire, and the rest of resin.
• Hereinafter, the term, “horizontal”, means a horizontal direction as shown inFIG. 4 unless specified otherwise. Also, the term, “vertical”, means a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction unless specified otherwise. Further, the terms, “upper” and “lower”, referred to hereinafter mean an upward direction and a downward direction, respectively, ofFIG. 4 unless specified otherwise.
• As is shown inFIG. 1, theoperation input device1 is a device that enables a user holding theknob2 to perform operation inputs including shaft pushing, rotation, and 8-direction tilting (oscillation) operations. Referring toFIG. 4, a virtual straight line passing through theknob2 at a center in a left-right direction as shown in the drawing is given as an operation axis line L. Assume that the operation axis line L is a virtual line fixed to the knob and moves in association with motion of theknob2.
• In a shaft pushing operation, the user presses theknob2 downward in a direction parallel to the operation axis line L. In a rotation operation, the user turns theknob2 about the operation axis line L as the center axis. In a tilting (oscillation) operation, the user tilts theknob2 in eight directions. As is shown inFIG. 17 (described below), a virtual axis line in a direction perpendicular to a substrate surface of thesubstrate9 is given as a vertical axis line V. Assume that the operation axis line L agrees with the vertical axis line V when a tilting operation is not performed on theknob2. A tilting center point P is present on the vertical axis line V and the operation axis line L. The operation axis line L tilts with respect to the vertical axis line V about the tilting center point P as a tilting operation is performed on theknob2. These operations will be described in detail below.
• As are shown inFIG. 2A andFIG. 2B, thedevice1 is of a shape in which theknob2 protrudes upward as shown in the drawing from thecase12. A lower portion of thedevice1 is covered with thecover11. Thedevice1 is installed, for example, in an interior of an automobile and fixed to a place within arm's reach of the driver by tightening screws inserted into hole portions (descried below) provided to thecase12 in such a manner that thecover11 is not exposed to the interior side.
• Theknob2, therotation shaft3, thecenter shaft4, theswing shaft5, theslider6, thepress rubber7, theholder8, thesubstrate9, theclick plate10, thecover11, thecase12, theupper housing13, and theoscillation plunger40 are, with a partial exception, basically of a circular shape in cross section perpendicular to a direction of the vertical axis line V.
• FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B are a plane view and a cross section taken along the line VB-VB, respectively, of theknob2. Theknob2 is of a shape in which atube portion21 that encloses therotation shaft3 from above as shown in the drawing is provided to extend from atop surface20 in an upper part as shown in the drawing. Theknob2 and therotation shaft3 are fixed to each other as therotation shaft3 is inserted into aninner surface22 of thetube portion21.
• FIG. 6A throughFIG. 6C are a plan view, a cross section taken along the line VIB-VIB, and a bottom view, respectively, of therotation shaft3. Therotation shaft3 includes twocylinder portions31 and32 provided to extend downward as shown in the drawing from acircular plate portion30 of a disc shape. Theinner cylinder portion31 encloses thecenter shaft4 from above as shown in the drawing and from radially outward. Theinner cylinder portion31 is enclosed by theswing shaft5 from radially outward. Theouter cylinder portion32 encloses theswing shaft5 from above as shown in the drawing and from radially outward. Hence, theswing shaft5 is pinched by theinner cylinder portion31 and theouter cylinder portion32 from radially inward and outward, respectively.
• Theouter cylinder portion32 of therotation shaft3 has a ball-like portion33 of a spherical shape about the tilting center point P in a portion on a lower side as shown in the drawing. Upward motion of therotation shaft3 is stopped as the surface of the ball-like potion33 abuts on theupper housing13. Aflange portion34 is provided to extend radially outward from the ball-like portion33 at a lower end as shown in the drawing.
• In a region between theinner cylinder portion31 and theouter cylinder portion32 of thecircular plate portion30 on a surface on a lower side as shown in the drawing, a plurality ofconvex portions35 protruding downward as shown in the drawing are formed all along a circumferential direction. As are shown inFIG. 6B andFIG. 6C, theconvex portions35 are formed in such a manner that angle protrusions each having a radially extending ridge are aligned regularly along the circumferential direction. Accordingly, a turning operation of theknob2 is a turning operation by a predetermined turning angle at a time (described below).
• A plurality of ribs36 (convex portions) protruding upward as shown in the drawing are formed at regular intervals along the circumferential direction in a radially inner portion on the top surface of theflange portion34. More specifically, theribs36 of a trapezoidal shape (rectangular shape) in cross section (cross section orthogonal to the radial direction) are formed on the top surface of theflange34 so as to extend radially outward.
• FIG. 7A andFIG. 7B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line respectively, of thecenter shaft4. Thecenter shaft4 includes a ball-like portion43 of a semi-spherical shape on a lower side of ashaft portion42 and further atube portion44 on a lower side of the ball-like portion43.Bar portions46 of a bar shape are provided to the ball-like portion43 in the left-right direction as shown in the drawing.Protrusion portions47 are formed in the vicinity of the tip ends of therespective bar portions46.
• Theshaft portion42 is inserted into theinner cylinder portion31 of therotation shaft3. The ball-like portion43 is supported by theslider6 from below. The tip end of eachbar portion46 and theprotrusion portion47 are inserted into a hole portion58 (described below) provided to theswing shaft5 by passing through a through-hole portion82 (described below) of theholder8 and fixed therein.
• Theoscillation plunger40 and theoscillation spring41 are inserted into aninner surface45 of thetube portion44. Theoscillation plunger40 is pushed downward by an elastic restoring force of theoscillation spring41. Theoscillation plunger40 is pressed against a concave surface (described below) formed in theclick plate10.
• Theoscillation plunger40 includes alarge diameter portion40aof a cylindrical pillar shape having a large diameter and asmall diameter portion40cof a cylindrical pillar shape having a small diameter that are connected to each other with ataper portion40b. A tip end of thesmall diameter portion40cforms atip end surface40dof a curved surface shape. Theoscillation plunger40 together with theoscillation spring41 is inserted into thetube portion44 of thecenter shaft4. Theoscillation plunger40 is pushed by elasticity of theoscillation spring41 and thetip end surface40dabuts on aconcave surface103 of theclick plate10.
• FIG. 8A andFIG. 8B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line VIIIB-VIIIB, respectively, of theswing shaft5. Theswing shaft5 includes a ball-like portion55 of a spherical shape in a lower portion of acylinder portion52.Protrusion portions56 are provided to protrude radially outward from a lower end of the ball-like portion55 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.
• As has been described above, thecylinder portion52 is inserted into theouter cylinder portion32 of therotation shaft3. Theinner cylinder portion31 of therotation shaft3 is inserted into aninner surface53 of thecylinder portion52. A plurality of (for example, two)hole portions54 extending in an axial direction and spaced apart in the circumferential direction are formed in an upper end face of thecylinder portion52. Therotation plunger50 and therotation spring51 are inserted into eachhole portion54.
• An outer surface of the ball-like portion55 of theswing shaft5 can be spaced apart, for example, by about 1 mm from the inner surface of the ball-like portion33 of therotation shaft3. The outer surface of the ball-like portion55 of theswing shaft5 is formed in a spherical shape about the tilting center point P. The twohole portions58 are formed in the inner surface of the ball-like portion55 to house and fix therein the tip ends of thebar portions46 and theprotrusion portions47 both of thecenter shaft4. Therotation plunger50 is of a shape provided with atip end surface50bof a curved surface shape in acircular pillar portion50a. Therotation plunger50 together with therotation spring51 is housed in eachhole portion54 of theswing shaft5 and pushed upward as shown in the drawing, so that thetip end surface50babuts on the lower surface of thecircular plate portion30 of therotation shaft3.
• FIG. 9A andFIG. 9B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line IXB-IXB, respectively, of theslider6. Theslider6 is of a cylindrical shape provided with a through-hole portion61 in a top-bottom direction. A portion of the through-hole portion61 in the vicinity of an upper end forms a ball-like portion60 hollowed out in a spherical shape. A portion of the through-hole portion61 in the vicinity of a lower end forms atrapezoidal portion62 hollowed out in a trapezoidal shape. A diameter of the through-hole portion61 increases on the lower side as shown in the drawing so as not to interfere with tilting motion of thecenter shaft4.
• The ball-like portion60 supports the ball-like portion43 of thecenter shaft4 from below. Thetube portion44 of thecenter shaft4 is inserted into the through-hole portion61. Thetrapezoidal portion62 is placed on an upper end face71 (described below) of thepress rubber7. A shape in which to house thebar portions46 or the like of theshaft center4 with a space in between is formed in the ball-like portion60 on an upper side as shown in the drawing.
• FIG. 10A andFIG. 10B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XB-XB, respectively, of thepress rubber7. Thepress rubber7 includes aflange potion73 formed radially outward from a lower end of acylinder portion70. A radially inner portion of theflange portion73 forms aslope portion72 formed to tilt with respect to thecylinder portion70. A horizontal surface portion of thetrapezoidal portion62 of theslider6 is placed on thetop surface71 of thecylinder portion70 of thepress rubber7. The entire lower end face of theflange portion73 of thepress rubber7 abuts on thesubstrate9 and the radially outward tip end of theflange73 is inserted into a step portion84 of theholder8. A diameter of the inner end face of thecylinder portion70 increases on the lower side as shown in the drawing so as not to interfere with tilting motion of thecenter shaft4.
• FIG. 11A andFIG. 11B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XIB-XIB, respectively, of theholder8. Theholder8 is of a shape in which aflange portion81 is provided to extend radially outward from a lower end of atube portion80 of a tubular shape. A diameter of thetube portion80 can be smaller on an upper side. The lengthwise long through-hole portions82 are provided to thetube80 in portions on the left and light as shown in the drawing in a one-to-one correspondence. Thebar portion46 of thecenter shaft4 is inserted into each through-hole portion82. Theflange portion81 is provided withhole portions83 at intervals in a circumferential direction. Protrusion portions112 (described below) of thecase11 are inserted into therespective hole portions83. Theholder8 includes the step portion84 on a lower side as shown in the drawing. The radially outward tip end of theflange portion73 of thepress rubber7 is inserted into the step potion84.
• FIG. 12A andFIG. 12B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XIIB-XIIB, respectively, of thesubstrate9. Thesubstrate9 is of a disc shape and a lower surface forms asubstrate surface90 on which various elements are disposed. Thesubstrate9 is provided with ahole portion91 at a center andhole portions92 at positions on top of which therespective hole portions83 of theholder8 are to be located. Thecenter shaft4 is inserted into thehole portion91. The protrusion portions112 (described below) of thecase11 are inserted into therespective hole portions92.
• FIG. 13A andFIG. 13B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XIIIB-XIIIB, respectively, of theclick plate10. Theclick plate10 is provided with a concave portion opening upward and placed on a top surface of thecase11 at a center thereof. As the tip end (lower tip end) of theoscillation plunger40 abuts on the inside of the concave portion, theclick plate10 plays a role of, for example, allowing thecenter shaft4 to stay at the center position in a stable manner.
• The concave portion of theclick plate10 is chiefly of a triple-layer structure in a circular shape in cross section in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis line V. More specifically, the concave portion of theclick plate10 is formed of, from top to bottom, a largediameter cylinder portion100 of a cylindrical shape having a large diameter, a smalldiameter cylinder portion101 of a cylindrical shape having a small diameter, and theconcave surface103 having a surface chiefly of a curved surface shape. The largediameter cylinder portion100 is formed to prevent theclick plate10 from interfering with tilting motion of thecenter shaft4 while the user is performing a tilting operation.
• Thetube portion44 of thecenter shaft4 is inserted into thesmall cylinder portion101 with anend face102 in the horizontal direction at the top while the user is performing a shaft pushing operation. Theconcave surface103 is a surface across which the tip end (lower end) of theoscillation plunger40 moves while abutting thereon during a tilting operation by the user.
• A shape to guide the tip end of theoscillation plunger40 is formed in the concave surface103 (described below). A fixing method of theclick plate10 can be adopted arbitrarily from various methods. For example, theclick plate10 may be fastened to thesubstrate9 by tightening screws inserted through unillustrated hole portions.
• FIG. 14A andFIG. 14B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XIVB-XIVB, respectively, of thecover11. Thecover11 is a member that covers thedevice1 from behind (a side invisible to the user when installed to the vehicle). Thecover11 includes acylinder portion111 formed from a radial end portion of abottom surface110. A plurality of theprotrusion portions112 are formed on thebottom surface110 so as to protrude upward. Theprotrusion portions112 are disposed by penetrating through the respective hole portions84 of theholder8 and therespective hole portions92 of thesubstrate9. The lower end face of theflange portion34 of therotation shaft3 abuts onabutment surfaces113 while the user is performing a shaft pushing operation, so that overweighting on the upper end faces of theprotrusion portions112 is suppressed.
• FIG. 15A andFIG. 15B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XVB-XVB, respectively, of thecase12. Thecase12 is a member that covers a body portion (portion other than the knob2) of thedevice1. Thecase12 includes acylinder portion120 of a cylindrical shape that covers the device interior from radially outward and acircular plate portion121 of chiefly a disc shape that covers the device interior from above in the axial direction. A radially inner portion of thecircular plate portion121 forms aslope portion122 tilting downward.Protrusion portions123 protruding in a left-right direction as shown in the drawing are formed at a lower end of thecylinder portion120. The case12 (and hence the device1) can be fixed to the interior of the vehicle, for example, by tightening screws inserted intohole portions124 provided to therespective protrusion portions123.
• FIG. 16A andFIG. 16B show a plan view and a cross section taken along the line XIB-XVIB, respectively, of theupper housing13. Theupper housing13 is of a shape in which a fold-back portion131 is formed by folding an upper end portion in the axil direction of acylinder portion130 of a cylindrical shape radially inward. In a case where the user performs a tilting operation, a part of theflange portion34 of therotation shaft3 that rises by tilting motion abuts on the lower end face of the fold-back portion131 and the tilting motion is stopped.
• Groove portions132 are formed in the lower end face of the fold-back portion131. Individual grooves of thegroove portions132 are formed to extend radially outward from the radially inner end portion of the fold-back portion131 in such a manner that these grooves are aligned all along the circumference of the fold-back portion131. Thegroove portions132 on the lower end face of the fold-back portion131 fit to theribs36 formed in theflange portion34 of thetilting rotation shaft3.
• This fitting suppresses rotations of therotation shaft3 while therotation shaft3 is brought into a tilting state by a tilting operation by the user. Hence, unintended rotation motion is suppressed while the user is performing a tilting operation. The user thus becomes able to perform the tilting operation in a reliable manner.
• A tilting (oscillation) operation, a shaft pushing operation, and a rotation (turning) operation of thedevice1 configured as above will now be described more in detail. It should be appreciated that theholder8, thesubstrate9, theclick plate10, thecover11, thecase12, and theupper housing13 are in a fixed state (for example, in the interior of the vehicle) and do not undergo any motion in response to any of the operations specified above.
• A tilting (oscillation) operation will be described first.FIG. 17 shows a state where a tilting operation to the right as shown in the drawing is performed on thedevice1 shown inFIG. 4. When the user performs a tilting (oscillation) operation, that is, an operation to tilt the operation axis line L by holding theknob2, as is shown inFIG. 17, theknob2, therotation shaft3, thecenter shaft4, and theswing shaft5 tilt in a direction in which the tilting operation was performed. As has been described, the inner end face of the through-hole portion61 of theslider6 and the inner end face of thecylinder portion70 of thepress rubber7 are tilted with respect to the vertical axis line V so as not to interfere with tilting motion of thecenter shaft4. A tilting operation is rotational motion about the tilting center point P. During tilting motion, the ball-like portion43 of thecenter shaft4 slides on the ball-like portion60 of theslider6 whereas the ball-like portion55 of theswing shaft5 slides on the inner end face of the fold-back portion131 of theupper housing13.
• By a tilting operation, the tip end (lower end) of theoscillation plunger40 being pushed downward as shown in the drawing by theoscillation spring41 glides within theconcave surface103 of theclick plate10. Aguide portion104 that guides the tip end of theoscillation plunger40 in a predetermined tilting direction during a tilting operation is formed in theconcave surface103. This configuration will be descried in detail below.
• A tilting operation is stopped as a portion of theflange portion34 of therotation shaft3 on a side opposite to the direction of the tilting operation (a side rising by the tilting motion) abuts on the lower end face of the fold-back portion131. Upon this abutment, theribs36 formed in theflange portion34 of therotation shaft3 and thegroove portions132 formed in theupper housing13 are fit to each other. Consequently, rotational motion during the tilting operation is suppressed.
• A shaft pushing operation will now be described.FIG. 24A andFIG. 24B show a state where a shaft pushing operation is performed on thedevice1 ofFIG. 4. When the user performs a shaft pushing operation, that is, an operation to push theknob2 downward as shown in the drawing, as are shown inFIG. 24A andFIG. 24B, theknob2, therotation shaft3, thecenter shaft4, theswing shaft5, and theslider6 move downward in a parallel direction.
• In this instance, thepress rubber7 made of rubber undergoes deformation due to elasticity of rubber. As an amount of shaft pushing (a distance over which thecenter shaft4 moves downward as shown in the drawing in a parallel direction) increases from zero, thepress rubber7 gradually undergoes deformation. When an amount of shaft pushing exceeds a certain amount, as are shown inFIG. 24A andFIG. 24B, theslope portion72 of thepress rubber7 rapidly undergoes considerable deformation. This considerable deformation makes the user have a clicking feeing.
• When thetube portion44 of thecenter shaft4 moves downward in a parallel direction by the shaft pushing operation, as are shown inFIG. 25A andFIG. 25B, thetube portion44 is inserted into the smalldiameter tube portion101 of theclick plate10. A size (diameter) of thetube portion44 is set slightly smaller than a size (diameter) of the smalldiameter tube portion101. Accordingly, once thetube portion44 is inserted into the smalldiameter cylinder portion101, thetube portion44 is no longer allowed to tilt. Owing to this configuration, undesirable tilting motion is suppressed while the user is performing a shaft pushing operation and the user becomes able to perform the shaft pushing operation in a reliable manner.
• A rotation (turning) operation will now be described. When the user performs a turning operation, that is, an operation to rotate theknob2 about the operation axis line L, theknob2 and therotation shaft3 are turned. Even when thebar portions46 of thecenter shaft4 are forced to rotate, thebar potions46 are stopped by theholder8 that is disposed fixedly. Hence, thecenter shaft4 is not turned. Accordingly, theswing shaft5 to which the tip ends of thebar portions46 of thecenter shaft4 are fixed is not turned, either. Likewise, theslider6 and thepress rubber7 are not turned.
• As has been described, theconvex portions35 are formed, as are shown inFIG. 6A throughFIG. 6C, on the lower surface of therotation shaft3. When the user performs a turning operation on theknob2, the turningplungers50 undergo motion in a top-bottom direction. Because the turningplungers50 are pushed upward by the turning springs51, the turningplungers50 are pressed downward more forcefully where theconvex portions35 are present than where theconvex portions35 are absent.
• Owing to this configuration, a turning angle of theknob2 by a turning operation on theknob2 is stabilized at a position between theconvex portions35.FIG. 6C shows stabilizedpositions35aeach between theconvex portions35. Because theconvex portions35 are formed at regular intervals in a circumferential direction, the stabilizedpositions35aare also disposed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. Turning of theknob2 is stabilized at the stabilizedpositions35a. Theknob2 is therefore turned by an angle between the adjacent stabilizedpositions35aat a time.
• Thedevice1 will be described more in detail in the following.FIG. 18 andFIG. 19 show a manner in which therib36 of therotation shaft3 and thegroove portions132 of theupper housing13 are fit to each other. As has been described, theflange portion34 of therotation shaft3 is provided with theribs36 at regular intervals in the circumference direction. Likewise, theupper housing13 is provided with thegroove portions132 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction.
• In an example ofFIG. 16A andFIG. 16B, eightribs36 are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction and 24groove portions132 are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of thegroove portions132 is equal to the number of the stabilizedpositions35ain one turn. Theribs36 and thegroove portions132 are formed at positions at which the former and the latter fit to each other when theknob2 and therotation shaft3 are tilted while turning motion thereof is stabilized at the stabilizedposition35a. In theoperation input device1, the number of oscillation directions (8) is a divisor of the number of rotational clicks in one turn (24). When the number of oscillation directions and the number of one-turn rotational clicks do not satisfy this condition, theribs36 and thegroove portions132 do not fit to each other during a tilting operation. In theoperation input device1, the number of oscillation directions and the number of one-turn rotational clicks can be changed from 8 and 24, respectively. However, the condition that the former be a divisor of the latter has to be satisfied in this case, too.
• As theribs36 and thegroove portions132 fit to each other during a tilting operation, rotation motion of theknob2 and therotation shaft3 in a tilting state is inhibited or suppressed. In an operation input device in the related art shown inFIG. 20, rotation motion undesirable for the user occurs during tilting motion in some cases. In particular, depending on a manner in which a force is applied, the knob rotates or collapses after the knob is oscillated. In contrast, in theoperation input device1 of this embodiment, because rotations during tilting motion are suppressed, operation performance during tilting motion is stabilized and an erroneous operation is suppressed.
• FIG. 21A throughFIG. 21D show theguide portion104 formed in theconcave surface103 of theclick plate10. As is shown inFIG. 23, with the operation input device in the related art, when the user performs a tilting (oscillation) operation, an operational feeling is ambiguous and there is a possibility of an erroneous operation because the knob is not actually tilted in an intended tilting direction. In other words, in response to an input of an operation direction, a direction unintended by the user is inputted in some cases. Herein, theguide portion104 is a region that lowers a possibility of an erroneous operation by providing a distinct operational feeling for a tilting operation owing to a shape of a portion of theconcave surface103 of theclick plate10 on which theoscillation plunger40 pushed by theoscillation spring41 abuts.
• Theguide portion104 is a convex portion formed on theconcave surface103 in such a manner that the tip end (lower end) of theoscillation plunger40 abuts thereon and is guided appropriately in a predetermined tilting direction during a tilting operation. In an example ofFIG. 21A throughFIG. 21D, there are eight predetermined tilting directions set by dividing the entire circumference about the vertical axis line V by 8.
• Theguide portion104 includes a ring-likeconvex portion106 surrounding, in a circumferential direction, an outer rim of a position at which the tip end of theoscillation plunger40 abuts in a non-tilting state (that is, a state where the operation axis line L agrees with the vertical axis line V as inFIG. 4) and linearconvex portions105 formed radially outward from the ring-likeconvex portion106 in a radial fashion in eight boundaries of the respective eight predetermined tilting directions.
• As is shown in the cross section taken along the line XXIC-XXIC ofFIG. 21C, the ring-likeconvex portion106 can be, for example, of a shape protruding from theclick plate10 to have a ring-like ridge and a region surrounded by the ring-likeconvex portion106 can form a smooth concave portion of a curved surface shape. In a case where the user performs a tilting operation on theknob2 in a non-tilting state, the user has a clicking feeing at hand when the tip end of theoscillation plunger40 surmounts the ring-likeconvex portion106. With this clicking feeling, the user can confirm that theknob2 is brought into a tilting state.
• Also, as are shown in the cross sections taken along the lines XXIC-XXIC and XXID-XXID ofFIG. 21C andFIG. 21D, respectively, the linearconvex portions105 can be, for example, of a shape protruding from theclick plate10 so as to have a linear ridge and a region sandwiched between the linearconvex portions105 can form a smooth concave portion of a curved surface shape.
• In a case where the user performs a tilting operation on theknob2, the eight directions divided by the eight linearconvex portions105 are the appropriate tilting directions. The eight directions D1 through D8 are shown inFIG. 22. Because the linearconvex portions105 are formed on the both sides of each of the eight tilting directions D1 through D8, the user can tilt theknob2 in a desired tilting direction in a stable manner.
• It should be appreciated, however, that an operation direction allowed by the tilting operation on theknob2 by the user is not limited to the eight directions D1 through D8 defined by the linearconvex portions105. Herein, let a point Q be an intersection of the operation axis line L and thetop surface20 of theknob2, thenFIG. 22 shows a movable range of the point Q by a tilting operation by the user. In short, the movable range of the point Q is the entire inside of a circle shown inFIG. 22.
• The outer rim of the movable range shown inFIG. 22 corresponds to a tilting angle in a state where the tilting motion is stopped as thetilting rotation shaft3 abuts on the upper housing13 (theribs36 and thegroove portions132 fit to each other as described above). When the user performs a tilting operation on theknob2, thedevice1 allows the user to move to an adjacent tilting direction (for example, to move from the direction D1 to the direction D2). For example, the user can perform a tilting operation in such a manner that the point Q undergoes circular motion about the vertical axis line L.
• In this instance, when the tip end of theoscillation plunger40 surmounts the linearconvex portion105, the user has a clicking feeling at the hand. With this clicking feeling, the user can confirm that theknob2 has shifted to the adjacent tilting direction. Hence, in a case where the user changes the tilting directions, the user can confirm in a reliable manner that the tilting directions have been actually changed. Also, in a case where the user has no clicking feeling provided when the tilting direction shifts to the adjacent direction, the user can confirm in a reliable manner that he is successfully performing the operation in the desired tilting direction. Herein, in order to allow theoscillation plunger40 to glide on theguide portion104, an R of the concave shape of the guide portion is set larger than an R of thetip end surface40dof theoscillation plunger40.
• A shaft pushing operation of thedevice1 will now be described. Thedevice1 during a shaft pushing operation is shown inFIG. 24A,FIG. 24B,FIG. 25A, andFIG. 25B.FIG. 24A andFIG. 24B are overall views andFIG. 25A andFIG. 25B are partially enlarged views. As has been described, theknob2, therotation shaft3, thecenter shaft4, theswing shaft5, and theslider6 move downward in a parallel direction by a shaft pushing operation by the user. In this instance, thepress rubber7 made of rubber undergoes deformation due to elasticity of rubber.
• As an amount of shaft pushing (a distance over which thecenter shaft4 moves downward as shown in the drawing in a parallel direction) increases from zero, thepress rubber7 gradually undergoes deformation. When an amount of shaft pushing exceeds a certain amount, as are shown inFIG. 24A andFIG. 24B, theslope portion72 of thepress rubber7 rapidly undergoes considerable deformation (buckling). This considerable deformation provides the user with a clicking feeing.
• Theclick plate10 is provided with the smalldiameter cylinder portion101. As thecenter shaft4 is pushed downward, thecylinder portion44 of thecenter shaft4 is inserted into the smalldiameter cylinder portion101 and fit therein.FIG. 24A shows a state where the shaft pushing operation is at a halfway stage andFIG. 24B and a right side ofFIG. 25A show a state where thecenter shaft1 is fully pushed (one stroke completed state). The stage ofFIG. 24A shows a state where thecenter shaft4 is stroked by 1.5 mm. Theslope portion72 of thepress rubber7 then buckles and the bottom surface of thecylinder portion70 abuts on thesubstrate9 in the top surface as shown in the drawing.FIG. 24B shows a state where the shaft pushing operation is performed further (for example, thecenter shaft4 is stroked by 2 mm). Thepress rubber7 then undergoes further deformation to the extent that the abutment surfaces113 of therespective protrusion portions112 of thecover11 abut on the bottom surface of theflange portion34 of therotation shaft3 and the shaft pushing motion is eventually stopped. From this, the user becomes aware in a reliable manner that thecenter shaft4 has been fully pushed.
• A size (diameter) of the smalldiameter cylinder portion101 is set as large as or slightly larger than a size (diameter) of thecylinder portion44, so that thecylinder portion44 does not tilt while thecylinder portion44 is inserted into the smalldiameter cylinder portion101. Owing to this configuration, thecenter shaft4 and further theknob2 are stabilized when the shaft pushing operation is performed and tilting motion during the shaft pushing operation is suppressed. As are shown inFIG. 25A andFIG. 25B, it is preferable to form either a chamferedportion44a(or R-shaped portion) at a corner of thecylinder portion44 or a chamferedportion101a(or R-shaped portion) at a corner of the smalldiameter cylinder portion101 of theclick plate10 or to form the both, because it becomes easier to insert thecylinder portion44 into the smalldiameter cylinder portion101.
• In the operation input device in the related art, the knob is not stabilized while the shaft is pushed and tilts against the user's intention during a shaft pushing operation in some cases. On the contrary, in thedevice1, theclick plate10 and thecenter axis4 are fit to each other during a shaft pushing operation. Accordingly, there is no feeling of instability with theknob2 during the shaft pushing operation. Hence, an erroneous operation does not occur by unintended tilting motion during the shaft pushing operation. It thus becomes possible to achieve high operation performance unachievable in the related art.
• A detection of the rotation operation, the shaft pushing operation, and the tilting operation by thedevice1 will now be described with reference toFIG. 26 throughFIG. 29.
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of thedevice1 from which thecase12 and theupper housing13 are removed.FIG. 27 is a plan view of thedevice1 from which theknob2, therotation shaft3, and theswing shaft5 are further removed.
• FIG. 28 is a view depicting a calculation routine of a detection result.FIG. 29 is a view showing a configuration in a case where theoperation input device1 is installed to an automobile.
• As is shown inFIG. 29, thedevice1 is electrically connected to anair conditioning device101, anaudio device102, anavigation device102 and the like of avehicle100, and functions as a device that accepts operation inputs to various in-vehicle devices as specified above from a passenger of thevehicle100.
• As are shown inFIG. 26 andFIG. 27, fourphoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare disposed below fourflange portions56 of theswing shaft5. In each of thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14d, alight emitter portion140 that outputs light from an LED or the like and alight receiver portion141 that is provided with a light receiving element and receives light emitted from thelight emitter portion140 are disposed at opposing positions.
• Eachflange portion56 has a hollow interior. Hence, for example, when the user performs a shaft pushing operation, theflange portions56 move downward in a parallel direction and the fourphoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare inserted into the respective fourflange portions56. A shieldingwall56ais formed in a hollow region inside eachflange portion56. Hence, when thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare inserted into therespective flange portions56, each shieldingwall56ais interposed between thelight emitter portion140 and thelight receiver portion141 and blocks light transmitted from thelight emitter portion140 to thelight receiver portion141.
• In a state where thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare present on the outside of theflange portions56, light emitted from thelight emitter portion140 is received at thelight receiver portion141. Upon receipt of light at thelight receiver portion141, thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14deach output an OFF signal. When no light is received at thelight receiver portion141, thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14deach output an ON signal.
• As has been described above, thedevice1 accepts a tilting operation in the eight directions D1 through D8 specified inFIG. 27, a shaft pushing operation, and a turning operation from the user. The fourflange portions56 of theswing shaft5 and the fourphoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare disposed in the directions D1, D3, D5, and D7, respectively.
• The fourflange portions56 are pushed downward by a shaft pushing operation or a tilting operation by the user and at least one (or all) of thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dis switched ON. Combinations of an ON state and an OFF state of thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dvary depending on which one of the shaft pushing operation and the tilting operations in the eight directions is performed.
• FIG. 28 shows a manner in which the combinations vary. More specifically, when the user performs a shaft pushing operation, the fourflange portions56 move downward in a parallel direction and all of thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare switched ON. When the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D1, theflange portion56 in the direction D1 alone is pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D1, thephoto interrupter14aalone is switched ON and theother photo interrupters14b,14c, and14dremain in an OFF state.
• When the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D3, theflange portion56 in the direction D3 alone is pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D3, thephoto interrupter14balone is switched ON and theother photo interrupters14a,14c, and14dremain in an OFF state.
• When the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D5, theflange portion56 in the direction D5 alone is pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D5, thephoto interrupter14calone is switched ON and theother photo interrupters14a,14b, and14dremain in an OFF state.
• When the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D7, theflange portion56 in the direction D7 alone is pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D7, thephoto interrupter14calone is switched ON and theother photo interrupters14a,14b, and14dremain in an OFF state.
• Also, the shapes and the positional relations of thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dand theflange portions56 are set so that when the user tilts theknob2 in the direction D2, D4, D6, or D8, the photo interrupters on both the left and right sides of the tilting direction are switched ON.
• According to this configuration, when the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D2, theflange portions56 in the directions D1 and D3 on the both sides are pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. The photo interrupters14aand14bare disposed in the directions D1 and D3, respectively. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D2, thephoto interrupters14aand14bare switched ON and thephoto interrupters14cand14dremain in an OFF state.
• Likewise, when the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D4, theflange portions56 in the directions D3 and D5 on the both sides are pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. The photo interrupters14band14care disposed in the directions D3 and D5, respectively. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D4, thephoto interrupters14band14care switched ON and thephoto interrupters14aand14dremain in an OFF state.
• When the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D6, theflange portions56 in the directions D5 and D7 on the both sides are pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. The photo interrupters14cand14dare disposed in the directions D5 and D7, respectively. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D6, thephoto interrupters14cand14dare switched ON and thephoto interrupters14aand14bremain in an OFF state.
• When the user performs a tilting operation in the direction D8, theflange portions56 in the directions D7 and D1 on the both sides are pushed downward and theflange portions56 in the other directions are not pushed downward. The photo interrupters14dand14aare disposed in the directions D7 and D1, respectively. Hence, in the case of the tilting operation in the direction D8, thephoto interrupters14dand14aare switched ON and thephoto interrupters14band14cremain in an OFF state.
• With the use of these features, thedevice1 detects which one of the shaft pushing operation and the tilting operations in the eight directions D1 through D8 was performed on the basis of combinations of ON and OFF outputs from thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14d.
• More specifically, as is set forth inFIG. 28, in a case where thephoto interrupter14aalone is ON and thephoto interrupters14b,14c, and14dare OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D1 was performed. In a case where thephoto interrupters14aand14bare ON and thephoto interrupters14cand14dare OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D2 was performed. In a case where thephoto interrupter14balone is ON and thephoto interrupters14a,14c, and14dare OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D3 was performed.
• In a case where thephoto interrupters14band14care ON and thephoto interrupters14aand14dare OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D4 was performed. In a case where thephoto interrupter14calone is ON and thephoto interrupters14a,14b, and14dare OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D5 was performed. In a case where thephoto interrupters14cand14dare ON and thephoto interrupters14aand14bare OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D6 was performed.
• In a case where thephoto interrupter14dalone is ON and thephoto interrupters14a,14b, and14care OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D7 was performed. In a case where thephoto interrupters14dand14aare ON and thephoto interrupters14band14care OFF, thedevice1 detects that the tilting operation in the direction D8 was performed. In a case where all of thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare ON, the device detects that the shaft pushing operation was performed.
• As is shown inFIG. 29, the operation input device1 (device) is installed, for example, to the vehicle (automobile)100. ACPU95, aRAM96, and aROM97 are provided to thesubstrate9 of thedevice1. TheCPU95 performs information processing, such as various computations, relating to thedevice1, and particularly detects an operation (which operation was performed) by the user on thedevice1.
• TheRAM96 is a volatile storage portion for a work area of theCPU95. TheROM97 is a non-volatile storage portion in which to store various types of data and programs used for the processing by theCPU95. As is shown inFIG. 29, thesubstrate9 is electrically connected to thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dand ON and OFF outputs from thephoto interrupters14a,14b,14c, and14dare obtained by thesubstrate9. The determination routine set forth inFIG. 28 is pre-stored in theROM97 in the form of a program. Hence, theCPU95 determines a tilting direction and a shaft pushing operation by running this program.
• Thedevice1 further includes arotation detection portion14eand detects a rotation operation by the user. As is shown inFIG. 26, therotation detection portion14eis of a bar shape protruding upward from a horizontal surface of theholder8. A gear (toothed wheel) is formed on a radially outward end face of theflange potion34 of therotation shaft3. Also, a gear is formed on a side surface of therotation detection portion14e. The both gears are meshed with each other.
• When theknob2 and therotation shaft3 are turned by a turning operation by the user, the turning motion is transmitted to therotation detection portion14eby these gears. Therotation detection portion14eis furnished with a function of detecting a rotating angle. The rotating angle detected by therotation detection portion14eis transmitted to thesubstrate9 and the rotation angle inputted by the user is recognized by theCPU95.
• Information on the inputs by the user (which one of the shaft pushing operation, the tilting operations in the eight directions, and the turning operation was performed and a rotation angle by the turning operation) recognized by theCPU95 as described above is sent to theair conditioning device101, theaudio device102, and thenavigation device103 installed to thevehicle100 and these devices are controlled according to the inputs.
• In the determination routine set forth inFIG. 28, a condition for the determinations in the directions D2, D4, D6, and D8 is that two photo interrupters be switched ON. However, there may be a case where two photo interrupters are not switched ON simultaneously when the user fails to perform an operation successfully. Thedevice1 can solve a problem in this case by means of software using the program of the determination routine. More specifically, for example, thedevice1 does not make a determination for a predetermined time (for example, several tens to 100 msec) since one photo interrupter is switched ON and when another photo interrupter is switched ON within the predetermined time, then thedevice1 assumes that these photo interrupters are switched ON simultaneously.
• Also, according toFIG. 28, in a case where the four photo interrupters are ON, thedevice1 determines that a shaft pushing operation was performed. However, there may be a case where the user fails to switch ON the four photo interrupters successfully. Hence, it may be configured in such a manner that thedevice1 determines that a shaft pushing operation was performed in a case where at least three photo interrupters are ON by the program of the determination routine.
• As has been described, thedevice1 of the present disclosure detects eight tilting directions (and a shaft pushing operation) using four photo interrupters. Assume that the photo interrupters are changed to contact-type switches. Then, elasticity of the contact-type switches provides the user with an operational feeling. Accordingly, the user has different operational feelings between directions (D1, D3, D5, and D7) in which switches are provided and directions (D2, D4, D6, and D8) in which switches are not provided. This configuration is therefore not preferable. In addition, in order to provide the user with the same operational feeling in all the eight directions using the contact-type switches, eight switches are required.
• In contrast, according to thedevice1 of the present disclosure, the photo interrupters are non-contact type detection means and the function of providing the user with an operational feeling is intensively furnished to theclick plate10. Thedevice1 therefore achieves significant advantages that it becomes possible to provide the user with the same operational feeling in all the eight directions, and moreover, it becomes possible to detect the eight tilting directions and a shaft pushing operation using four (less than eight) photo interrupters.
• It goes without saying that the detection means in the embodiment above can be changed from photo interrupters to switches or sensors. There can be achieved advantages that it becomes possible to detect eight tilting directions and a shaft pushing operation by fewer (four) detection means in this case, too. The embodiment above has described tilting operations in eight directions. It should be appreciated, however, that the number of tilting directions is not limited to eight in the present disclosure. The tilting directions can be set to an even number, such as 10, 6, 4, and 2 or an odd number, such as3,5, and7. The photo interrupters can be disposed at positions and in the number matching the number of the tilting directions. Also, the guide grooves of the click plate and the ribs36 (first concavo-convex portions) of therotation shaft3 are changed to match the tilting directions. As many groove portions132 (second concavo-convex portions) as a multiple of the number of the ribs36 (first concavo-convex portions) can be formed in theupper housing13.
• FIG. 30 shows a change from theclick plate10 to aclick plate10′. Theclick plate10 is provided with theguide portion104 that guides a tilting operation by the user to eight directions. Theclick plate10′ is provided with aguide portion104′ that guides a tilting operation by the user to four directions. The four directions by theguide portion104′ are four directions adjacent ones of which are orthogonal to each other. As in theguide portion104, a ring-like convex portion and linear convex portions are formed therein.
• As has been described, in thedevice1, the function of guiding theoscillation plunger40 in a tilting direction is intensively furnished to theclick plate10. Theclick plate10 is pinched between thecover11 and thesubstrate9. Existing fixing methods, such as screwing and press-fitting, can be used arbitrarily as a fixing method of theclick plate10 to thesubstrate9 and thecover11. Hence, it is easy to change the click plate10 (for example, to theclick plate10′) in thedevice1. Consequently, the number of tilting directions can be changed easily in thedevice1.
• In a case where theclick plate10 is changed to theclick plate10′, the tilting operation is guided to the direction D1, D3, D5, or D7 described above. Whereas tilting motion in the direction D2, D4, D6, or D8 becomes quite difficult because of the shape of theguide portion104′. Accordingly, even when the determination program for eight directions set forth inFIG. 28 is used in a case where theclick plate10′ is used, the directions D2, D4, D6, and D8 are simply not detected, and there arises no problem.
• Hence, even when theclick plate10 is changed to theclick plate10′, the determination program set forth inFIG. 28 can be used without any change. In other words, according to thedevice1 of the present disclosure, once the determination program for eight tilting directions is installed therein, it becomes possible to change eight tilting directions to four tilting directions by merely changing theclick plate10 to theclick plate10′. For the same reason, for example, a change to two directions can be addressed by merely changing the click plates. It thus becomes possible to achieve an inexpensive derived product set with different operation directions from thedevice1 of the present disclosure.
• The present disclosure includes the following aspects.
• According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an operation input device includes: an operation body having a handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be held by a user and having a virtual operation axis line, and the operation body being configured to tilt together with the handle portion around a predetermined rotation center point on the operation axis line in a case where the user holds the handle portion and tilts the operation axis line of the handle portion; a tip end portion disposed at an end of the operation body in a direction of the operation axis line, the tip end portion being pushed in a direction to move apart from the handle portion along the direction of the operation axis line; an abutment portion having an abutment surface, the tip end portion moving and abutting on the abutment surface during a tilting operation of the operation body; and a plurality of first protrusion portions. When the tip end portion moves in a predetermined tilting direction during the tilting operation of the operation body, the tip end portion abuts on the abutment surface and moves along a movement path. The first protrusion portion is disposed on a side of the movement path so that the first protrusion portion guides the tip end portion in the predetermined tilting direction.
• The operation input device above is configured in such a manner that the tip end portion of the operation body that tilts in association with a tilting operation by the user is pushed and abuts on the abutment surface, and the protrusion portion is provided lateral to the movement path corresponding to a predetermined tilting direction on the abutment surface. Accordingly, the tilting direction of the operation body is guided to the predetermined tilting direction by the protrusion portion. Hence, with a configuration as simple as forming the protrusion portion on the abutment surface, it becomes possible to achieve an operation input device that provides a distinct operation feeling in response to a tilting operation and lowers a possibility of an input of a wrong tilting operation.
• Alternatively, the operation input device may further include: a second protrusion portion. The second protrusion portion surrounds a position of the abutment surface, on which the tip end portion abuts, under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is not performed. The second protrusion portion is located on a boundary between the position of the abutment surface, on which the tip end portion abuts under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is not performed and a position of the abutment surface, on which the tip end portion abuts under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is performed. In this case, the protrusion portion is formed on the abutment surface on the periphery of the abutting position when the operation body is not tilting. Hence, the user can have a feeling that the tip end portion of the operation body surmounts the protrusion portion. The user can therefore recognize in a reliable manner that the operation body starts to tilt or further the operation body is not tilting. It thus becomes possible to provide the user with a reliable operational feeling as to whether the operation body is tilting or not.
• Alternatively, tilting directions of the operation body may be set equally in a circumferential direction of the operation axis line around the operation axis line under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is not performed. The plurality of first protrusion portions are disposed in a radial manner from a center of the abutment surface. In this case, because the protrusion portions each guiding the tip end portion of the operation body into a predetermined tilting direction are formed in a radial fashion in the circumferential direction from the center of the abutment surface, the tip end portion of the operation body is guided in a reliable manner to the path between the protrusion portions in a radial fashion. Hence, it becomes possible to achieve an operation input device that guides the tip end portion of the operation body in a reliable manner in any one of the tilting directions set equally in the circumferential direction.
• Alternatively, the movement path may include a plurality of routes. The plurality of routes are disposed to be adjacent to each other. The first protrusion portion is disposed between two adjacent routes. The first protrusion portion provides a single convex portion, which is available for two routes. In this case, a single protrusion portion is used for those between the adjacent tilting directions. Hence, the tip end of the operation is guided in a predetermined tilting direction in a reliable manner with a simple shape.
• Alternatively, the first protrusion portion may be set to have a height, which is low enough for the tip end portion to shift from one of the adjacent routes to the other. In this case, when the user wishes to shift the tilting direction to an adjacent tilting direction, the use is allowed to shift to this adjacent tilting direction. Hence, the operation input body not only has flexibility of allowing the user to change tilting directions in the middle of an operation, but also provides the user in a reliable manner with a feeling of having shifted to the adjacent tilting direction.
• While the present disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and constructions. The present disclosure is intended to cover various modification and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various combinations and configurations, other combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (5)

1. An operation input device comprising:

an operation body having a handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be held by a user and having a virtual operation axis line, and the operation body being configured to tilt together with the handle portion around a predetermined rotation center point on the operation axis line in a case where the user holds the handle portion and tilts the operation axis line of the handle portion;

a tip end portion disposed at an end of the operation body in a direction of the operation axis line, the tip end portion being pushed in a direction to move apart from the handle portion along the direction of the operation axis line;

an abutment portion having an abutment surface, the tip end portion moving and abutting on the abutment surface during a tilting operation of the operation body; and

a plurality of first protrusion portions,

wherein, when the tip end portion moves in a predetermined tilting direction during the tilting operation of the operation body, the tip end portion abuts on the abutment surface and moves along a movement path, and

wherein the first protrusion portion is disposed on a side of the movement path so that the first protrusion portion guides the tip end portion in the predetermined tilting direction.

2. The operation input device according toclaim 1, further comprising:

a second protrusion portion,

wherein the second protrusion portion surrounds a position of the abutment surface, on which the tip end portion abuts, under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is not performed, and

wherein the second protrusion portion is located on a boundary between the position of the abutment surface, on which the tip end portion abuts under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is not performed and a position of the abutment surface, on which the tip end portion abuts under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is performed.

3. The operation input device according toclaim 1,

wherein tilting directions of the operation body are set equally in a circumferential direction of the operation axis line around the operation axis line under a condition that the tilting operation of the operation body is not performed, and

wherein the plurality of first protrusion portions are disposed in a radial manner from a center of the abutment surface.

4. The operation input device according toclaim 3,

wherein the movement path includes a plurality of routes,

wherein the plurality of routes are disposed to be adjacent to each other,

wherein the first protrusion portion is disposed between two adjacent routes, and

wherein the first protrusion portion provides a single convex portion, which is available for two routes.

5. The operation input device according toclaim 1,

wherein the first protrusion portion is set to have a height, which is low enough for the tip end portion to shift from one of the adjacent routes to the other.

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